The sports cars that could save you money

If you own a sports car, you know you’ll have to make one or two sacrifices. Trips to IKEA are out of the window, packing for the weekend requires the skills of a contortionist, and if the children want to travel in the back they’ll need to ensure they don’t grow beyond the size of a pocket monkey. But according to CAP HPI, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re forced to end each month approaching your bank manager with a begging bowl. Read on to discover more.

10. Audi S5 Sportback S Tronic

The CAP HPI analysis looks at the total cost of ownership to reveal to reveal the sports cars with the lowest motoring costs over the first three years. Whilst we’d question the inclusion of some of the vehicles in the CAP HPI top 10, we do find the figures rather interesting. We’ve ranked the top 10 cars in reverse order, kicking off with the Audi S5 Sportback. Over the course of three years, you’ll spend £27,288.44 running the Audi S5. Note: a new S5 is about to be launched.

Monthly running costs: £758.01

Service and maintenance: £361.00

Fuel costs: £4,152.44

Total cost of ownership: £27,288.44

Any excuse to trawl the classifieds is fine by us. If you can’t wait for the all-new Audi S5 Sportback, this 2015 car might appeal. The one-owner car has covered a mere 2,000 miles and offers an enviable list of options and accessories. Yours for £37,500.

9. Porsche Cayman

The total cost of ownership is based on a vehicle’s monthly running cost, cost per mile, service and maintenance, depreciation, insurance group, cost new, delivery costs and road tax. On this basis, the Porsche Cayman 2.7-litre finishes ninth in the CAP HPI table. This Cayman has since been superseded by the four-cylinder Porsche 718 Cayman. Note the service and maintenance cost, which is the highest in the top 10.

Monthly running costs: £685.62

Service and maintenance: £1,724.00

Fuel costs: £4,424.33

Total cost of ownership: £24,682.33

Not put off by the cost of service and maintenance, how about this 2007 Porsche Cayman 2.7? With just 25,675 miles on the clock and a price tag below £19,000, it’s an even cheaper way to run a Cayman. Cobalt Blue works for us, too.

8. Audi RS3 Sportback

Sports car? The Audi RS3 is more of a hot hatch to us, but at least it has the ability to keep up with some of the other cars featured in this gallery. And that 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine is one of the best on the market.

Monthly running costs: £647.29

Service and maintenance: £1,253.00

Fuel costs: £4,259.53

Total cost of ownership: £23,302.53

New, an Audi RS3 Sportback would have set you back around £40,000, and that’s before you got busy with the list of options. Which makes this £25,000 RS3 a bit of a bargain. Two owners from new, just 29,000 miles on clock and full Audi service history.

7. Nissan 370Z Coupe

Philip Nothard of CAP HPI said: “Owning a sports car comes with a heavier price tag than some of the other categories of cars, however, some vehicles offer competitive ownership costs in terms of service and maintenance, whilst others offer more economical monthly running costs or fuel costs.” These fuel costs are calculated at 10,000 miles per year. In seventh place you’ll find the Nissan 370Z Coupe.

Monthly running costs: £619.02

Service and maintenance: £1,216.00

Fuel costs: £5,588.63

Total cost of ownership: £22,284.63

You’ll spend £27,860 on a new 370Z Coupe, but this cost rises to £38,050 in full-fat Nismo spec. But why buy new when you can spend just £16,960 on this 10,000-mile example? It looks like it has been treated to one or two well-chosen modifications, including Sparco race seats and a full stainless steel exhaust.

The Ford Mustang is fresh to market, so used examples are few and far between. Your best bet is a dealer demonstrator, as these are often well-equipped and offer a small saving compared to the list price. At £32,495, this Mustang is EcoBoost is more expensive than the entry-level £30,995, but it benefits from many optional extras.

5. Audi S3

Again, we’d question the sports car label, but the Audi S3 offers the lowest service and maintenance cost in this gallery. At £302 per month, the S3 is nearly £1,000 less than the Audi RS3.

Monthly running costs: £515.46

Service and maintenance: £302.00

Fuel costs: £3,679.64

Total cost of ownership: £18,556.64

For some reason, this 2015 Audi S3 caught our eye. Hey, if you’re going to own and run a popular car, at least make an effort to stand out.

4. Audi TT 2.0 TDI Ultra Sport

Is this a case of having your sports car cake and eating it? This Audi TT Sport gives you the styling and build quality of a TT, but with the efficiency and economy of a 2.0-litre TDI Ultra engine. The diesel TT offers up to 62.8mpg on a combined cycle and 184g/km CO2.

Monthly running costs: £514.87

Service and maintenance: £315.00

Fuel costs: £2,345.44

Total cost of ownership: £18,535.44

This has the potential to be quite a find. It’s a 2014 Audi T 2.0-litre TDI Ultra with just 1,000 miles on the clock. The ad says it was a custom build purchased new from Exeter Audi and comes complete with Virtual Cockpit, S-line specification and remainder of warranty. Bargain?

3. Subaru BRZ SE

Now here’s a proper sports car – the front-engine, rear-wheel drive Subaru BRZ in entry-level SE trim. Over the course of three years, it will cost £18,136.56 to run what is one of the best sports cars of the modern era. Believe us when we say: that’s £18,000 well spent.

Monthly running costs: £503.79

Service and maintenance: £1,115.00

Fuel costs: £4,106.56

Total cost of ownership: £18,136.56

But why spend upwards of £22,495 on a new Subaru BRZ when you can spend less than £15,000? This 2013 car benefits from being sold through a Subaru main dealer, as well as the more luxurious SE Lux trim.

2. Toyota GT86 Primo

Finding it hard to choose between the Subaru BRZ and its Toyota GT86 sibling? Well, according to CAP HPI, the Toyota will save you £600 over the course of three years. Spend this on fuel and enjoy a few extra dawn raids.

Monthly running costs: £486.24

Service and maintenance: £1,013.00

Fuel costs: £4,106.56

Total cost of ownership: £17,504.56

Be still our beating hearts. This 2015 car has covered a mere 8,827 miles from new and is available for £19,000. The Primo might be the entry-level GT86, but it retains the same purity of drive.

1. Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Sport

Which brings us to the number one car: the Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Sport. It might lack the B-road thrills of the GT86 or BRZ, but you’ll save money in the long run. The £313 cost of service and maintenance is the major reason for the TT’s success.

Monthly running costs: £477.34

Service and maintenance: £313.00

Fuel costs: £3,156.21

Total cost of ownership: £17,184.21

According to CAP HPI: “When it comes to evaluating the 10 sports cars with the lowest total cost of ownership, for the first three years from new, our research shows that the Audi TT Coupe is the lowest.” We say: have you considered this 2014 car for just £17,490?

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